Springfield's best sweet & sour chicken

Chinese Chef

Another small chain in Springfield is the Chinese Chef. Missouri State students may know this eatery by its on-campus pseudonym "Wok and Roll" (I know, I know). Clean and quaint, this establishment is on the corner of Battlefield and Campbell and has been serving locals since 1984.

Pros: The chicken pieces were a good size and the portion amount was satisfying. The chicken was juicy and the sauce was decently thick and sweet.  The inclusion of peppers in the sauce added a different flavor profile without using more sugar. It also was the first dish to include additional "toppings": pineapple chunks and green and red peppers, which was a welcomed addition. To some degree, it reminded me of the great cafeteria food of my university in Beijing.

Cons: The chicken is hearty, but some pieces were way more than "bite size." Also, the toppings had been stewed in the sweet and sour sauce all day and just fell apart in a less-than-pleasing mush. Though I enjoyed the presence of toppings, their texture definitely could have used some help. Maybe tossing the veggies in a wok with the sauce at the last minute to leave them tasting fresh and crisp would have done the trick. Granted, I am being really particular, but I had to pick on something about this dish, because overall it was enjoyable. The price of $4.85 did not include any eggrolls or crab rangoon, but did include the charges for all white meat ($0.50) and a cup of water ($0.15).

The Price: $4.85 -- tax included

Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5. The flavors are there, and it was a decently-sized, good meal for lunch.